Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans share summer safety strategy

Building on his commitment to strengthen public safety in Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Boston Police Commissioner William B. Evans, city officials, community organizations, and clergy members to discuss plans and initiatives the City of Boston will implement in an effort to reduce violence throughout the summer months.

"Since I took office, my administration has taken a holistic approach to matters of health and safety. These problems are interrelated, so their solutions require us to work with others outside of City agencies and the Boston Police Department. Summer safety is a citywide effort, one that goes beyond City Hall," said Mayor Walsh. "By providing more opportunities for youth to have fun, get a summer job, and get involved in their community, we're providing a much needed path away from violence. Over the past few years, our community has really stepped up to play an active role in summer safety and providing brighter futures for our young people, and I look forward to working with everyone again this year so we can enjoy a terrific, fun, and safe summer."

"Community policing is the foundation of the Boston Police Department," said Commissioner Evans. "Our number one priority is ensure our residents' safety every day, and we'll continue to take new steps to engage with the communities we serve, and make sure every resident feels safe in their community. I'd like to thank all the partners who work with us to achieve our goals, and thank my officiers for their hard work and dedication to the neighborhoods they serve year round."

The Boston Police Department (BPD) will execute a multi-pronged approach to combat violence in Boston's neighborhoods:

1. Increase positive interactions between BPD and the community.
2. Engage youth with programming and activities, and increase access to services.
3. Provide increased police presence and targeted enforcement with a focus on guns.

Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans have instituted a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to public safety that not only addresses violence and crime through enforcement efforts, but recognizes the critical importance of providing support, opportunities, and pathways away from violence to Boston's residents.

Increase positive interactions between BPD and the community.

Examples of initiatives and programs to increase positive interactions between BPD and the community include:

Jr. Police Academy

This is a weeklong program for our youth that introduces participants to various operational components of the Department with a visit to Police Headquarters for tours of the Identification and Ballistics Unit, trips to the Police Academy, Range, Mounted Unit, Harbor Patrol and more.

Teen Police Academy

This six week program for older students introduces participants to various operational components of the Department, including community service.

P.A.L. to PALS

A monthly visit by special unit officers to local Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCAs throughout the city.

Youth and Police Dialogues

Boston Police Department sponsors conversations with teens and young adults in partnership with neighborhood organizations such as the Center for Teen Empowerment, YMCA, and  Medicine Wheel Productions.

The BPD Ice Cream Truck

The BPD Ice Cream Truck visits neighborhoods and attends community events to give out free ice cream to residents.

National Night Out

Participated in cities across the country, National Night Out promotes involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships and neighborhood engagement by featuring neighborhood 'block parties' with entertainment, food, and beverages

Flashlight Walks

After dark community gatherings with Boston Police officers to 'light up the streets' and encourage relationship building amongst neighbors.

Coffee with a Cop

A highly successful initiative, Coffee with a Cop asks residents to join Boston Police in their local coffee shops to discuss public safety concerns and answer questions.

Engage youth with programming and activities, and increase access to services.

Examples of initiatives and programs to engage youth with programming and activities and increase access to services include:

The Mayor's Youth Summer Jobs Program

This program seeks to provide 10,000 Boston youth with meaningful employment each summer by working with private sector partners.

Summer Camp Referrals

Boston Police refer local youth to free or reduced price summer camps at partner organizations such as Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Boys & Girls Clubs, and YMCA.

YouthConnect

This program empowers 50 participants to realize their potential through a 12-month curriculum focused on cultivating leadership combined with supportive community-based social services. During this time of change and transition, EPIC instills confidence and hope for the future in young teens, directly addressing a growing need in our city.

Operation Exit Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Program

A partnership with the Mayor's Office of Public Safety, this intensive training program prepares participants for entry into an apprenticeship in the building trades and other employment areas, such as culinary arts.

Boston Public Health Commission's Trauma Teams

Neighborhood-based trauma response and recovery teams that offer immediate support to Boston residents and ongoing access to evidence-based trauma treatment. The Teams offer individual and family crisis response services, short-term case management, coping groups and ongoing trauma recovery services.

Provide increased police presence and targeted enforcement with a focus on guns.

Examples of initiatives and strategies to increase police presence and get guns off the streets include:

City Wide Bike Unit

A deployment of officers on bicycles strategically placed based off of a crime and intelligence analysis.

Operation Crosswalk

The Boston Police Department is monitoring crosswalks to ensure safety for pedestrians in high traffic areas.

School Police Units

School Police officers will be monitoring Boston Public School summer school locations throughout the city.

Monitoring of Open Spaces

A police presence will be emphasized in locations near parks and other open spaces.

Ensuring Proper Resources for Cultural Festivals

A focused set of resources will be utilized to ensure safe and successful cultural festivals; as well as other major events and parades.

YVSF (Gang Unit) and Drug Unit

Operations of the gang and drug units will be focused on high risk impact players, active gangs, and hotspot areas.

Focusing on Illegal Scooters and Off Road Vehicles

There will be a continued focus on banning illegal scooters and off-road vehicles from our streets.  

Monitoring House Parties and Nightclubs

BPD will continue to proactively monitor house parties and nightclubs due to the violence that is associated with them.

In April, Mayor Walsh announced a series of investments included in the City's recommended Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) operating budget and capital plan aimed at supporting public safety for a growing city, furthering the Boston Police Department's ongoing work in strengthening community relationships and prevention programs, securing a force reflective of the communities in which it serves, providing supports to reduce the effects of trauma and recidivism, and keeping residents safe and healthy in all neighborhoods across the city. To learn more about these investments, click here.